If you can't beat them, join them! This was the tactic employed by the Fiddlestone Bar, Belleek recently when they joined forces with last years Belleek/Ballyshannon 'It's a Knockout' Champions to contest this year's title.

And the tactics paid off as the joint Firefighters/Fiddlestone team raced to victory at this year's cross-border event which was held at Pairc na hEirne, Erne Gael's GAA grounds.

The event enjoyed a glorious Bank Holiday Weekend, with the strains of the Parthelon Samba Band from Ballyshannon setting the mood of mayhem and madness.

This, the second year of the event which, was organised by Belleek Erne Partnership's project staff, Isobel Cleary and Leza Monaghan under the 'Strengthening Cross Border Communities' initiative.

The project is part-financed by the European Union through the EU Programme for Peace and Reconciliation, and is managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the Cross Border Consortium.

With a winning mix of experience, teamwork, stamina, and the youthful enthusiasm of the Fiddlestone Team, the firefighters from Ballyshannon and Belleek not alone retained their title, but they have their eye on several of the younger members of the Fiddlestone team as potential future firefighters!

However, it wasn't as clear a victory as last year, and the Erne Gael's under 16 team gave the winners a run for their money, coming in a close second.

In third place were Nina's/Macey's team, followed by the Busy Bee's, the Underdogs, with Grandma's Attic and the Grandchildren taking the 'Wooden Spoon'.

Due to a hectic schedule, the Ballyshannon Town Councillors and their French counterparts arrived too late to take part in the event.